Ella announces Australian Sevens team for openers

Australian Sevens coach Glen Ella has announced the 12-man team to play in the first two IRB Sevens tournaments in Dubai and George in December, although the team will lose its captain for the second tournament.

Ella has confirmed Shawn Mackay as the captain for the Dubai Sevens, but the big flanker will miss the George Sevens in South Africa so that he can return to Australia to act as best man at Wallaby Morgan Turinui's wedding.

Mackay and Turinui have known each other since they were five years old, having attended primary school together and played junior Rugby together at the Clovelly Eagles.

Debutant Matthew Bell from Gordon will take Mackay's place in the team in George while six more players will make their Australia Sevens debut at the Dubai Sevens.

Mark Gilbride, Viliama Ratu, Vinnie Byrne, Michael Black, Naibuka Tuiloa and Luke Milton will all wear the gold jersey for the first time at the Dubai Sevens.

Of these six players, Warringah scrumhalf Vinnie Byrne is the only player who did not play at the Singapore Cricket Club Sevens earlier this month.

Ella has also selected several players who played in the majority of the 2004/05 series, a luxury he didn't have last year.

"We will be blooding six new players in Dubai, but we also have six players returning from last season who have a total of 44 IRB Sevens tournaments under their belts," Ella said.

"This time last year we announced a team for the Dubai tournament that included nine debutants and a total of 11 caps among the other three players, so we definitely have more experience in this year's squad."

"It will be important for our new players to get up to speed as quickly as possible. The pace and pressure of international Sevens can take some players by surprise, so I will be looking for the new guys to adapt quickly."

Note: *Shawn Mackay will play in the Dubai tournament but will be replaced by Matthew Bell for the George tournament.